Chapter 4

Joan yanked her hand free from Richmond's the second they were far from the mansion.

“Thank you for saving me,” she said, stepping away from him. “But I won't be stupid twice and follow you, like I did when I followed Mira here,” she added and started walking away.

“Joan, I’m your uncle,” Richmond replied, keeping his voice calm as he matched her pace. “I'm not like your stepmother and brother. Trust me.”

Joan shook her head without looking back at him. She kept walking fast, and Richmond also kept pace behind her.

“I don't trust anyone,” Joan said, her steps quickening.

“I'm the only one who can protect you.” His voice dropped. “You're in danger, Joan. Natalie, Nolan and Justin all want your father's estate for themselves. They're ruthless. They'll come after you.”

“How sure am I that you’re not one of them? That this isn't just one of your tactics?” Joan said, walking faster toward the garage.

She moved through the garage, glancing around. When she spotted her car, she let out a deep breath of relief.

She ran to it. The chauffeur standing beside it handed her the keys. Without saying any more words to Richmond, she jumped into the car and sped off.

Getting home, her frustration spiked when she spotted Keon and Kimberly in the living room. Kimberly's head was on Keon's laps. They were talking really loud, laughing and tickling each other. They didn't even notice Joan's presence.

Joan slammed the door hard. It jolted them up, fear flashing across their faces.

“Em…babe... you're back. Where did you go?” Keon stammered, his hands trembling.

Joan looked at them with disdain. She scoffed, turned to leave, then stopped halfway.

“You left your daughter in the hospital just to come here and cheat right?” She asked, arms crossed, one brow raised.

“No, I wasn't cheating,” Keon quickly said. “I can't cheat on you, Joan.” He gave a fake, innocent smile. The one that made Joan want to punch him in the face.

“Where's my child?” Joan asked coldly.

“She's in her room. We arranged home care so we could take care of her better.” Kimberly replied and earned a hiss from Joan.

Joan went to check on Eliana first, and she was sleeping. Then she headed to her room. Keon followed right behind her, looking stupid.

“Joan, you've been acting weird since this morning. Are you fine?” Keon settled beside her and reached for her hand.

“It's just a mood swing. Nothing. I'm fine,” she said, forcing a smile. She knew Keon would keep probing until she softened up and started talking. So she quickly gave him an excuse.

“It's alright, baby,” Keon said, pulling her head on his shoulder and running his fingers through her hair.

After some minutes of silence, Joan lifted her head. She put on her baby-face expression, the one she used when she wanted something. Keon knew that look. He smiled.

“What do you want?” He asked.

Joan returned his smile and sat up straight. “I want to start a clothing business.” She said softly.

“How much do you need?” Keon asked, gentle.

That was one thing about him, he wasn't stingy with money.

“I can start with five thousand dollars,” Joan replied.

“I’ll get it transferred to you tonight,” he said with a warm smile.

Joan jumped on him, and as usual, he ducked her kisses.

“That's fine,” Joan said, sitting back.

None of them spoke for a few seconds until Keon stood up. “I'm gonna go check on Eliana and see that Kim is good.” Joan didn't reply, she just watched him leave.

She let out a deep breath of relief after he left.

Of course, she wasn't going to start any business. Not when she had Langley Corp to oversee. She just needed an excuse. Something to tell him whenever she needed to attend to the issue at hand, before she finally got to confront him.

Knowing Kimberly would keep Keon distracted and he wouldn't return to the room anytime soon, Joan began parking her things.

Her phone vibrated on the bed. She checked the screen, and it was a text from an unknown number.

“Joan, your life is in danger. You need to see me as early as tomorrow morning.” The text stared back at her.

She was still trying to process it when another text showing an address came in. Below it was written: From Richmond.

Throughout the night, Joan couldn't sleep. She kept wondering if she could trust Richmond or not.

Keon didn't sleep in the room with her. He used Eliana's sickness as an excuse to stay in the child's room, which Joan knew was a lie. That gave her space to pace, thinking throughout the night for her next move.

When morning came, Keon told her he was taking Eliana and Kim to the park. Of course she accepted without any argument. Anything for her to leave the house without him getting suspicious.

Joan got to the address. Richmond was already seated, patiently waiting for her.

“Glad you came,” he said, pulling out a chair for her to sit.

“Uncle, can we get to the point,” Joan said dryly.

Richmond chuckled under his breath, cleared his throat and started. “Joan, your stepmother is dangerous, and I can't protect you. You need to protect yourself.”

Joan's brows furrowed in confusion.

“I came back to the city because of you. I know how dangerous Natalie is.” He paused, took a sip of his wine before continuing. “I got a message from Tristan Blake. He heard you're now an overseer of Langley Corp”

“Tristan Blake?” Joan's brow shot up.

“Yes, the heir to the richest family in the country. Joan, the family is more powerful than ours.”

Joan raised an eyebrow, still confused on how that's going to help protect her.

“He wants you as his bride. Joan, if you marry him, Natalie can't touch you, because Tristan is powerful.”

“A marriage of alliance?”

“Yes,” Richmond replied.